Cairngorms pylons 'will drive customers away'

Published on Wednesday 29 August 2007 01:22

BUILDING large electricity pylons in the Cairngorms National Park could hit businesses in the area, according to a report.

A survey for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) showed that of 19 companies interviewed, 12 believed they would suffer a drop in turnover if a planned pylon upgrade went ahead.

A public inquiry into the proposed 137-mile pylon line across Scotland resumed yesterday in Newtonmore, where it will hear what impact it will have on the national park.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL), a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy and SP Transmission, part of ScottishPower, wants to replace the existing 132kV line between Beauly, near Inverness, and Denny, near Stirling, with a 400kV line. It would use about 600 pylons - 200 fewer than those they would replace - but they would be 20 metres higher at 67m (200ft).

The developer says the upgrade is needed to take power from proposed renewable energy schemes in the Highlands and Islands.

Andrew Harper, CNPA's head of economic and social development, has submitted a paper to the inquiry on the effect on local businesses. He said a survey showed that, as well as the 12 firms that expected turnover to drop, 11 believed a deterioration in landscape quality would negatively affect their business.

Mr Harper said: "The rationale behind this opinion was unanimously a concern that stunning views are the area's main attraction for visitors, and that pylons would have such a detrimental impact on the landscape as to deter many potential guests."

He said some businesses in the area have grown in recent years, with the Monarch of the Glen TV series being a significant factor. However, generally businesses were fragile, and a 10 to 15 per cent fall in trade would seriously affect them.

It is estimated a 10 per cent drop would result in an overall loss of 300,000 and the equivalent of 16.5 jobs. A 15 per cent fall would see turnover fall by 420,000 and 21.5 jobs lost.

Mr Harper added: "I believe that greater consideration needs to be given to mitigation measures that could potentially cushion this impact."

Last week, the CNPA confirmed that its preference was for the line not to be routed through the park - the proposed route takes in about 17 miles of it. However, the authority said that if it had to go into the park, the impact must be reduced by rerouting or putting part of the line underground.

One alternative is that the line enters the park from the Corrieyairack Pass and goes underground from the Spey Dam, following the River Spey and A889 via Laggan, Catlodge and Cathar Mor to south of Dalwhinnie.

Yesterday's resumed hearing started with a complaint from one opponent that the inquiry was favouring the developer. Helen McDade, of the John Muir Trust, had questioned the late submission of papers by a SHETL witness after a deadline set by the inquiry. SHETL argued that it had not prejudiced opponents.

But Ms McDade told Timothy Brian, the inquiry Reporter: "Time and again, they are getting more time to answer the case whereas the rest of us are sticking rigidly to your timetable with huge difficulties."

Ms McDade said it was "laughable" that SHETL claimed late submissions were due to them being busy. "What do they think the rest of us are? We're all busy, we all go on holiday, we all have folk off sick, but we have stuck to the timetable," she said.

Mr Brian told her he had not heard an argument that the inquiry was prejudiced.

COSTLY INQUIRY WEIGHS BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT

THE inquiry, which is set to be the longest ever in Scotland, opened in February and may continue into next year. It has been claimed the cost could exceed 10 million.

The developers say the planned overhead line, costing 350 million, is both necessary and cost effective. If parts of the line have to be buried, they say the whole scheme will have to be re-evaluated. It has been claimed putting one five-mile section underground would add up to 90 million to the cost.

The scheme has met objections from the planning authorities involved - Highland, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Falkirk councils, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. More than 17,000 people have also protested and campaign groups say the new line would threaten health, tourism, landscape, wildlife and property values.